Kerala is blessed with not just a scenic coastline and ample backwaters, but also with plenty of mesmerizing temples. The colorful pillars, expansive sabhamandapams, jewel-encrusted spires, and elaborately carved idols of deities make Kerala’s temples a standout, with the Guruvayur Temple being one of the most prominent ones.
Situated in Guruvayur, the temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is also called the ‘Dwarka Of The South’. It’s time to take a little spiritual lesson about the iconic temple and everything you must know before visiting it.
Guruvayur Krishna Temple: Timings, Dress Code, Hotels, Legends, & More
About The Guruvayur Temple
The Guruvayur Temple or Guruvayur Devaswom is a Hindu temple dedicated to a four-armed form of Lord Vishnu – Lord Guruvayurappan. This temple is one of the most important temples of worship in Kerala and is known by the name of Bhuloka Vaikuntham (Bhuloka = Earth, Vaikuntham = Holy abode of Lord Vishnu). Guruvayur Krishna Temple is also enlisted in the 108 Abhimana Kshethram of the Vaishnavite tradition, making it quite a prominent temple in South India. However, entry to Non-Hindus is strictly prohibited inside the temple.
It is constructed in the traditional Kerala style of architecture. The walls are adorned with 17th-century murals that speak of that era’s stories. Its 24-feet high Deepastambam (pillar of lights) and the Nalambalam (temple structure surrounding sanctum sanctorum) also stand out. The temple beautifully depicts the history of the place through its architectural style and other individual elements.
Guruvayurappan Deity And Legends
The deity holds the Panchjanya conch, the Sudarshana discus, the Kaumodaki mace, and a lotus flower with a tulsi garland. According to legends surrounding Krishna’s life, Lord Vishnu appeared in this form in front of Vasudeva and Devaki just when Lord Krishna was about to take birth.
There is also a legend that says that Lord Shiva used to bathe in the holy pond on the northern side of the temple. As he’s also known by the name of ‘Rudra’, the pond came to be known as Rudrateertham.
Guruvayur Temple Dress Code
While places of worship have a dress code enforced to maintain religious decorum, the Guruvayur Temple has had a stricter dress code than most other temples.
The official dress code of the temple instructs men to wear mundu around their waist — a sarong or dhoti-like loose garment. They are allowed to cover the chest section with a short garment like veshti but they must not cover their entire upper body.
Women can wear a sari and girls can wear a skirt and a blouse, however other kinds of garments like dresses, crop tops, jeans, etc are strictly prohibited. Recently, the temple authority relaxed their dress code for women by allowing them to wear churidar and salwar kameez.
Guruvayur Temple Rituals And Festivals
At the temple, you’ll find common Hindu rituals such as aarti and prasadam, but the Guruvayur Temple is also known for its Thulabharam.
The Thulabharam is an offering ritual that weighs devotees against things like jaggery, banana, and coconuts on giant weighing scales. The quantity of offerings that balances the weighing scale is then offered to the deity.
It also hosts plenty of festivals around the year, with its main celebration occurring in February-March. The festivals of Vaishakam, Ashtamirohini, and Guruvayur Ekadasi are also celebrated with much grandeur. However, the most popular among all festivals celebrated here is the Guruvayur Aanayottam.
This festival is mostly a unique elephant race, believed to have been started by the King of Cochin. The Aanayottam festival is a yearly ritual of choosing the elephant that gets to carry the Thidambu — a replica of the idol of Guruvayurappan for an entire year.
Guruvayur Temple Details You Must Know
Guruvayur Temple timings: 3:00 AM to 12:30 PM; 4:30 PM to 9:15 PM
Address: Guruvayur Temple, East Nada, Guruvayur, Kerala – 680101
Hotels Near Guruvayur Temple
Hotel Mangala Temple View
Price: INR 2,400 per night
Hotel Kovilakam Achutham
Price: INR 2,249 per night
Mayura Residency
Price: INR 2,200 per night
Lilac Hotel Guruvayur
Price: INR 4,100 per night
Treebo Sri Varshavilas Regency
Price: INR 1,696 per night
Summing Up
The Guruvayur Temple is a major place of worship for Hindu devotees not just in Kerala but for devotees across India. With its association to the birth of Lord Krishna as well as with legends about Lord Shiva, the temple is a magnificent, and a rather significant piece of cultural heritage amidst the plenty more temples in Kerala. A visit to the temple is a must, and if you are visiting it, why not take the help of a handy Kerala itinerary?
FAQs
What Is The Dress Code For Entering Guruvayur Temple?
Here is the dress code for entering Guruvayur Temple:
For men: Mundu; no shirts allowed
For women: Sari, churidar, salwar kameez; no short skirts, crop tops allowed
Which Day Is Good For Guruvayur Darshan?
We recommend visiting the temple on weekdays to avoid the crowd on weekends. Also, try to visit the temple post 7:30 PM when you’ll be less likely to face crowd.
What Is The Entry Fee For Entering Guruvayur Temple?
There is no entry fee to enter Guruvayur Temple. Devotees can enter the temple free of cost but can make voluntary donations inside.
